What Happens If a Meningioma Grows?

Meningioma is one of the tumors that develop from cells associated with the membranes called the meninges, which surround the brain and spinal cord. A significant proportion of meningiomas tend to grow slowly, and some small meningiomas may remain without causing any symptoms for a long time. However, when the tumor grows over time, it may put pressure on surrounding brain tissue, nerves, or blood vessels. Therefore, one of the most common questions patients ask is, “What happens if a meningioma grows?”

The effects caused by the growth of a meningioma do not depend solely on the size of the tumor. The anatomical location of the tumor, its growth rate, whether it causes surrounding edema, and its proximity to critical nerve and vascular structures are also important. Prof. Dr. Ömür Günaldı states that during meningioma follow-up, changes in tumor size should be evaluated together with the patient’s neurological findings and imaging results.

Does a Meningioma Grow?

Yes, a meningioma can grow over time. However, not all meningiomas grow at the same rate. Some tumors may show very little change for years, while others may have a more noticeable tendency to grow.

Therefore, when a small meningioma that does not cause any symptoms is detected, surgery is not always recommended immediately. In suitable patients, MRI scans may be performed at specific intervals to monitor whether the tumor is growing.

If a significant change in tumor size is observed during follow-up, treatment options may be reassessed.

What Happens When a Meningioma Grows?

The space inside the skull is limited. As a meningioma grows, it may put pressure on surrounding brain tissue or other anatomical structures. The effects of this pressure vary depending on the location of the tumor.

Some patients may develop headaches, while in others, vision, movement, speech, or balance functions may be affected.

There are also patients whose tumors may grow without causing symptoms for a long time. Therefore, it is not possible to determine whether the tumor is growing based solely on the patient’s symptoms. Regular imaging follow-up is important.

Prof. Dr. Ömür Günaldı emphasizes that comparing meningioma growth patterns with previous MRI scans can provide important information when making treatment decisions.

What Symptoms Occur When a Meningioma Grows?

The symptoms caused by a meningioma may vary depending on the location of the tumor. As the tumor grows, new neurological symptoms may develop or existing complaints may become more pronounced.

• Headache
• Epileptic seizures
• Blurred or double vision
• Visual field loss
• Weakness in the arms or legs
• Numbness and changes in sensation
• Balance problems
• Difficulty walking
• Speech disorders
• Hearing problems
• Changes in memory and concentration
• Changes in the sense of smell

may occur.

It should be remembered that these symptoms are not specific to meningioma. Similar complaints may occur in many different neurological conditions.

Can a Growing Meningioma Cause Headaches?

As a meningioma grows, it may cause headaches in some patients. The tumor’s effects on the membranes of the brain and surrounding tissues, or accompanying edema, may contribute to the development of headaches.

However, not every growing meningioma causes headaches. Likewise, the presence of a headache alone does not indicate that the tumor is growing.

Prof. Dr. Ömür Günaldı states that a detailed evaluation is important when a newly developed headache or a change in the characteristics of an existing headache is accompanied by neurological symptoms.

Can a Growing Meningioma Cause Vision Loss?

If the tumor is located close to the optic nerves or visual pathways, its growth may affect visual function. Particularly in some skull base meningiomas, pressure may develop on the optic nerve or optic chiasm.

Patients may experience blurred vision, reduced visual acuity, visual field loss, or double vision.

Because vision loss may progress slowly, some patients may not initially notice the change. Particularly when only one eye is affected, the other eye may compensate for the vision loss for some time.

Prof. Dr. Ömür Günaldı states that in meningiomas located close to the visual pathways, evaluating the anatomical location of the tumor together with visual functions is important for treatment planning.

Can a Growing Meningioma Cause Seizures?

Yes. Some meningiomas may affect surrounding brain tissue and cause epileptic seizures.

A seizure may sometimes be the first symptom of a meningioma. The development of a first-time seizure, particularly in someone with no previous history of epilepsy, requires medical evaluation.

Edema around the tumor may also contribute to the risk of seizures.

What Happens If a Meningioma Puts Pressure on the Brain?

When a meningioma grows and puts pressure on surrounding brain tissue, the resulting symptoms vary depending on the area of the brain affected.

If an area associated with motor functions is affected, weakness may develop in the arms or legs. Pressure on areas associated with speech may cause speech problems. Some large tumors located in the frontal region may cause cognitive or behavioral changes.

Prof. Dr. Ömür Günaldı emphasizes that the clinical significance of a meningioma cannot be determined solely by its size in centimeters and that the tumor’s relationship with critical areas of the brain must also be considered.

Does Growth Mean That a Meningioma Is Malignant?

No. The growth of a meningioma alone does not mean that it is malignant. Low-grade meningiomas can also grow over time.

However, a noticeably rapid growth rate may require closer evaluation of the tumor.

The exact grade of a meningioma, when necessary, is determined through pathological and, where appropriate, molecular examination of tumor tissue obtained during surgery.

Is a Growing Meningioma Surgically Removed?

Tumor growth is one of the factors that may influence the decision to perform surgery, but not every growing meningioma is automatically treated surgically.

When making a treatment decision, the following factors are evaluated together:

• Tumor growth rate
• Size
• Location
• Whether it causes symptoms
• Relationship with critical nerves and blood vessels
• Patient’s age and overall health condition

Surgical treatment may be considered for some meningiomas that cause symptoms, show significant growth, or put pressure on critical structures.

Prof. Dr. Ömür Günaldı states that the decision to perform meningioma surgery should be individualized according to the tumor’s imaging characteristics and the patient’s clinical condition.

How Long Does It Take for a Meningioma to Grow?

Meningiomas have different growth rates. Therefore, it is not possible to provide a specific period of time that applies to all patients.

Some meningiomas may grow very little over many years, while other tumors may show significant changes within a shorter period.

One of the most reliable ways to determine the growth rate is to compare MRI scans taken at different times.

How Is Meningioma Growth Monitored?

MRI is generally used to monitor meningiomas. The interval between follow-up examinations is determined by the doctor according to the characteristics of the tumor and the patient’s condition.

The size of the tumor is compared on consecutive MRI scans. The surrounding brain tissue is also evaluated for edema, compression, or other changes.

Prof. Dr. Ömür Günaldı states that regular imaging follow-up helps determine the growth pattern, particularly in meningiomas that are being monitored without surgery.